6 Essential Aircraft Safety Tips in Winter Season

Having acquired an aircraft maintenance center, I’ve seen
lots of costly damage to airframes and engines through the years resulting from
inadequate care in winter by the owner. Winter flying could be enjoyable and
quite rewarding with the planning for you and your passengers. However, if
winter flying isn’t your cup of tea, along with your airplane will sit outside,
you might want to consider what you could do to create that harsh environment a
bit easier for your aircraft.

Regardless of whether the aircraft will probably be procured
until spring up or busy during winter, we can plan the summer season by
identifying a few of the pitfalls, owners, and pilots can encounter. For
example, owners might wish to perform the recommended engine and airframe
storage procedures if the airplane will soon be in non-flying status. Others
may want to take steps designed to ensure safety, many of which may fall over
the preventative maintenance principles of the FAA owners may do. Regardless,
now’s a great time to think about how we’ll handle winter.

1. Winter Maintenance

For instance, and irrespective of how much flight hours have
passed ever since the last oil change, placing in fresh oil and a new filter
can assist reduce erosion-causing wetness within the engine. Before doing the
change, warm up the engine by flying for 20 to 30 minutes or so, then pump out
the old oil. Fill it by winter-grade or multi-viscosity oil.

Together with the oil, the airplane’s ignition and
electrical systems could require care to make sure effortless starting and
anticipated performance. Spark plugs must be refined and gapped/replaced
earlier to winter’s arrival, and any rescheduled magneto maintenance completed.
The aircraft battery would be tested for its rated power by analyzing, not
guessing. Battery makers Concorde and Gill both have detailed information on
power tests to find out if your battery is in decent condition.

Cold weather starting, even with preheat, might be difficult
under the ideal states, and a weak battery can make the difference between a
prosperous start and hours onto the earth, waiting for an additional try. Hand
and jump-started propping an aircraft armed with a beginner is asking for
trouble, especially during cold weather. Meanwhile, quick charging a dead
battery can cause it to weaken internally.

2. Preparing for Winter Parking

If you intend to perform consistent operations throughout
winter, you must pay some attention to how
and wherever your aircraft will be stored. Even after it’s placed in a
hangar, snow-removal procedures and inadequately planned doors can impede with
your routine access and make difficult your flying. Think About these ideas
when preparing for winter:

· When going on
a tiedown, select a location offering an electrical link for preheating and
proper tiedown chains or ropes, a path to your aircraft.

· Where will
the snow removal tools place the snow? Where will be taxiways and the
automobile paths which are going to probably likely soon be kept open
throughout winter? Where’s the result from throughout a winter storm? Would you
like your plane facing in the end?

· Slipping
hangar doors could freeze in their tracks if you hanger airplanes, and high
winds also may prevent you from opening them.

3. Avoid Fuel Contamination

Gas contamination may occur anytime, and in just about any
climate at FBOs with the greatest fuel-pumping equipment. When an airplane has
been flown and parked in a hangar while it is still warm, those half-empty
tanks can produce condensation, which can contaminate your aircraft’s fuel with
water.

4. Never fuel the Aircraft while the Heater is On

Other commonsense suggestions include not leaving your
aircraft unattended through the preheating process. Be careful that the heat
ducting is not currently blowing off on parts of the aircraft engine that
covers the upholstery, and fuel, oil, and hydraulic components. Indeed, pilots
may have a fire extinguisher at the ready through the whole preheating process.

5. Use Caution While Preheating the Engine

It’s a good idea before going outside for a flight to
preheat the engine if your airplane has been parked outdoors when the
temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Because starting a cold aircraft
engine can cause damage, always stick to the engine manufacturer’s strategies
for cold weather starts. Ideally, you wish to store your airplane in a heated
hangar to make sure it’s heated equally. Invest in a preheater, if a garage is not
accessible.

It is vital to exercise caution through the preheating
procedure to prevent the risk of fire. Ensure won’t ever leave your aircraft
unattended through the preheating procedure and keep a fire extinguisher on
hand. Think about wrap the engine at an insulated engine cover if your airplane
will be parked outdoors for a couple of hours with no heating.

6. Beware of Runway Contamination

Perhaps the most hazardous portion of winter flying would be
unpredictable contaminated runways. Much like driving an automobile, taxiing on
snow or ice can make it more challenging to turn safely and brake. Avoid making
sharp ends give yourself plenty of stopping distance and while taxiing.

In cold temperatures, take-offs and increase speed can be
enhanced as a result of lower density altitudes. When coping with a potentially
rainy, snowy, or icy surface, be well prepared to improve take-off distance and
increase landing roll. In order you understand what to count on, before the
shooting, ask ATC for braking reports. Circle the field to look for just about
any snowdrifts or barriers which could pose a hazard, if possible.

Final Thoughts

Not only if your aircraft be prepared for cold temperatures,
so should it be pilot. This means cold weather survival gear and appropriate
clothing. Ensure your heating and venting systems are in good shape and equip
your aircraft using a carbon dioxide detector. Usually do not proceed to
operate it in this condition, if you detect carbon monoxide on the aircraft.
Land at the nearest airport and have the aircraft repaired. Carbon monoxide is
a quiet killer; don’t take up the risk with you and your travelers’ lives by
ignoring the threat signs. Don’t block cold air vents through winter, as these
might be the only path of receiving fresh air to the cabin.

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